ADFG announced the 2011 Clarence Strait and Dixon Entrance (SSEI) Sablefish Quota will be an equal quota share for each of the permit holders at 23,300 round pounds. This is an 8% decrease from the 2010 quota.

The Charter Operators of Alaska (COA) announced today that they filed a lawsuit in Washington DC and asked for a preliminary injunction to prevent the implementation of the Halibut Charter Limited Entry Permit program. COA Press Release Lawsuit 4.4.11 Charter Halibut LEP Complaint 4.4.11 COA LEP Injunction 4.4.11 COA Memo of Law PI 4.4.11

The NPFMC today (April 1st) moved forward after presentations and public testimony the following motion: Develop Alternative 3 as the preliminary preferred alternative for an initial review draft FMP (Fishery Management Plan) and continue to expand discussion of FMP provisions the Council could consider changing or adding, as directed below. Preliminary Preferred Alternative Alternative 3:  Modify […]

Under the agreements of the Pacific Salmon Treaty, the SE AK treaty all-gear Chinook salmon quota is 73,000 fish more than last year for a total of 294,800. Seine 12,676 Drift Gillnet 8,549 Set Gillnet 1,000 Troll 218,060 Sport 54,515 The bag limits for sport fishing for 2011 will be starting April 1st, 2011. Alaskan […]

Examiners will be available in the following communities for dockside exams. Wrangell           Mar 31 – Apr 2nd Kake                  April 10 -11 Hoonah             April 26 – 28 Petersburg       May 13- 15 (Mayfest) Elfin Cove         June 2 – 6 Yakutat            June 6 – 10 For more information or to schedule in another community contact Scott Wilwert 907-957-0152

Bids for the Yakutat Dungeness crab survey is due by Monday, April 4, 2011 at 4:30 to the Douglas ADFG office. Minimum Qualifications are: The vessel must meet two of the following three qualifications: 1) at least 50 feet in overall lentgh, 2) at least 50 net tons, 3) at least 50 gross tons. Skipper […]

On Saturday, Governor Parnell announced the reappointment of John Jensen, commercial fisherman from Petersburg and Bill Brown, Juneau business owner of Taku Reel Repair. The Gov. appointed Sue Jeffrey to replace Mel Morris. Our thanks to Mel Morris for his years of service on the Board of Fish. Jeffrey, of Kodiak, has served as a […]

The agenda for the Regional Planning Team meeting was just released. They will be meeting in Juneau in the Hickel room of Centennial Hall on Wed. April 6th at 9:00 am. The following items will be considered during the meeting: 1.) Par for NSRAA to increase permitted capacity of Medvejie Hatchery by 10 million chum […]

Gov. Parnell on March 16, 2011 nominated Eric Olson for consideration by the US Secretary of Commerce for continued service on the NPFMC. The Governor also named Ragnar Alstrom and Jack Schultheis as alternate nominees. Eric Olson is finishing his second term on the Council and is the current chair. Olso was born and raised […]

Halibut Stock Decline Forces Increased Management Measures for Southeast Alaska Charter Fleet. NOAA’s Fisheries Service today announced it is implementing the regulatory recommendations of the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) due to concerns over declining halibut stocks. These regulations include limiting the maximum size of a halibut caught by charter anglers in southeastern Alaska to […]